Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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466. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the review of Garda stations that were closed in recent years will be completed; his plans to publish the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35300/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is primarily responsible for the effective and efficient use of the resources available to An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.

Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order. At its meeting on 13 June 2017, the Government noted the Garda Commissioner’s interim Report which analysed population and crime trends and, taking account of the availability of stations for reuse, makes a number of recommendations including that Stepaside Station in Co. Dublin be reopened on a pilot basis.

The Report also indicates that the Commissioner is likely, subject to further analysis, to recommend the reopening of Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and Donard, Co. Wicklow in her final report. If a second station is to be reopened in Dublin, the Commissioner has indicated that, subject to further analysis, the former station at Rush, Co. Dublin will be recommended for reopening.

The Government has, accordingly, agreed in principle to the reopening of Stepaside Garda Station on a pilot basis as soon as any necessary preparatory works have been completed. Following any decision to reopen the former stations, the Garda authorities will work closely with the Office of Public Works in relation to any necessary preparatory works required to progress the reopenings.

The final report of the Commissioner in relation to Rush, Leighlinbridge and Donard stations is expected to be received in the near future and it will be brought to Government thereafter.